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Seattle Seahawks rout San Francisco 49ers 41-6 to book NFC Championship spot The Seattle Seahawks are one win away from their first Super Bowl appearance in 11 years after dismantling the injury-hit San Francisco 49ers 41-6 in Saturday night’s divisional playoff at Lumen Field. Electric return man Rashid Shaheed ignited the sell-out crowd by taking the opening kickoff 95 yards to the house—the longest postseason return in franchise history—and the Seahawks never looked back. Ground game powers statement victory Second-year back Kenneth Walker III gouged San Francisco’s depleted front for 116 yards and three touchdowns, tying Shaun Alexander’s single-game playoff record for Seattle. Seattle piled up 175 rushing yards overall, wearing down a 49ers defense missing All-Pros Nick Bosa and Fred Warner. Sam Darnold delivers under pressure Playing through an oblique strain, first-year Seahawk Sam Darnold completed 12-of-17 passes for 124 yards and a score to rookie star Jaxon Smith-Njigba. More importantly, he avoided the sacks and turnovers that plagued his previous postseason start, commanding an offense that never trailed. “Dark Side” defense stifles Purdy Coordinator Clint Hurtt’s unit suffocated quarterback Brock Purdy, forcing two fumbles and a key interception while limiting San Francisco to 140 passing yards and just 37 on the ground. The 35-point margin is the 49ers’ second-worst playoff defeat in team history. What’s next Seattle (15-3) will host either the Chicago Bears or Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game next Sunday. A victory would send the Pacific Northwest back to the sport’s biggest stage for the first time since the 2014 season. Key search keywords: Seahawks vs 49ers, NFC Championship Game 2026, Kenneth Walker III touchdowns, Sam Darnold playoff win, Rashid Shaheed kickoff return.